Sundaymail Editor
Faith Rutsito
THE release of examination results always triggers both joy and sorrow in different people.
For Mackalester Takundwa, his 2022 Advanced Level results brought joy not only to his parents but his teachers as well.
Starting off as an average learner, whom some people did not expect to pass with good grades, Takundwa went on to surprise many.
He joined Munashe Private High School at Form Three level.
When he sat the Ordinary Level examinations, he only passed History — A, Family and Religious Studies — A and Shona — A.
The results made it difficult for him to be accepted at any school for Advanced Level studies.
However, he finally secured a place at Munashe.
The young learner underwent extensive guidance and counselling to restore his confidence before beginning his Advanced Level studies.
This eventually paid off.
Takundwa did not disappoint when he wrote the Advanced Level examinations last year.
He obtained 12 points out of a possible 15.
He got a B in each of the three subjects he studied: Family and Religious Studies, Shona and History.
Takundwa has been a role model to many learners at our school.
He was a studious learner, who was out to score high points in the examinations.
Below are some excerpts from an interview I, FAITH RUTSITO (FR), had with Mackalester Takundwa (MT).
************
FR: Can you briefly share with us how you feel after your success in the Advanced Level examinations?
MT: I feel highly motivated and owe my success to Munashe Private High School’s administration, staff and the Almighty God.
FR: How did you feel when other schools rejected you for failing to obtain the required five Ordinary Level subjects?
MT: Dejected! I was left feeling hopeless and forlorn. For a moment, I only imagined myself joining misguided youths who are only up to mischief all the time.
FR: How did you manage to recover from that?
MT: I went back to my former school, Munashe Private High School, so that I could study and resit the Ordinary Level subjects I had failed. To my surprise, I was advised to enrol for Advanced Level while I would also study the Ordinary Level subjects I had failed.
FR: How was the study programme structured?
MT: Hectic! Normal schooling was between 7.30am and 4.30pm, from Monday to Friday. Saturday was also a school day, from 7.30am to 1pm. And in our case, early morning sessions would start at 6.30am, before the normal starting time. I would only rest on Sunday.
FR: Your parting shot?
MT: I derived my inspiration from another learner by the name of Tinashe Kupera who, after having passed only three subjects at Ordinary Level, enrolled at Munashe and scored 13 points at Advanced Level. I am following in his footsteps. He is my role model.
Faith Rutsito is a Form Four learner at Munashe Private High School in Mutoko
Online Reporter